Abstract

Design by Dragging (DBD) [1] is a virtual design tool, which displays three-dimensional (3D) visualizations of many simulation results obtained by sampling a large design space and ties this visual display together with a new user interface. The design space is explored through mouse-based interactions performed directly on top of the 3D data visualizations. Our previous study [1] introduced the realization of DBD with a simplistic example of biopsy needle design under a static bending force. This paper considers a realistic problem of designing a vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) needle that brings in more technical challenges to include dynamic tissue reaction forces, nonlinear tissue deformation, and progressive tissue damage in an integrated visualization with design suggestions. The emphasis is placed on the inverse design strategy in DBD, which involves clicking directly on a stress (or other output field parameter) contour and dragging it to a new (usually preferable) position on the contour. Subsequently, the software computes the best fit for the design variables for generating a new output stress field based on the user input. Three cases demonstrated how the inverse design can assist users in intuitively and interactively approaching desired design solutions. This paper illustrates how virtual prototyping may be used to replace (or reduce reliance on) purely experimental trial-and-error methods for achieving optimal designs.

Figures

Examples of designing a biopsy needle using direct manipulation via data visualizations. In forward design, the user drags an edge of the opening window to the right (a). This operation is interpreted as decreasing the window length (b). In inverse design, the user attempts to move a high-stress region (the cursor location) away from the corner of the opening window. The user right-clicks on the region (c), then, the system suggests design alternatives that have the closest distances (determined by calculating the differences between the parameter values and the weighting) from the current one, shown as preview bubbles (enlarged view in circular windows). Each of the preview bubbles shows a magnified view of local stress distribution, which informs where the high-stress region can possibly move to. The user finally moves into the most-right preview bubble to switch to a new design alternative. This design alternative shows the high-stress region has moved away from the window corner (d).

Reduction of axial cutting force caused by increasing the slice-push ratio (bottom: r = 0.1, top: r = 10), which results in a smaller axial tissue displacement. It is also observed for the case on the top, the tissue fracture occurs mostly surrounding the cutting1 edge. This causes more tissue volume to be captured inside the inner cutter.

(a) The dry tap was identified in both the deformed mesh view (top) and the sectional view of the stress contour (bottom); (b) five preview bubbles were trigger; (c) a design solution reached by moving into the preview bubble in red: (a) step 1 (deformed mesh shown on the top and stress distribution shown on the bottom), (b) step 2, and (c) step 3

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